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17 January 2013

Judicial System Monitoring Program receives $817,587 in grants

ETLJB 17/01/2013 East Timor's peak judicial system monitoring civil society organisation, the Judicial System Monitoring Program, has received new financial support from Norway and the United Nations Democracy Fund totalling US$817,587
in grants to continue its work.

In separate press releases on 15 January 2013, JSMP disclosed that it had received financial support through the Norwegian Embassy in Jakarta for the next three years (2012 - 2015) totalling US$542,587.00 and a further US$275,000 from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).

Tne Norwegian government's grant will be used to support programs from the Women’s Justice Unit (WJU) to continue to facilitate women’s access to the formal justice system.

“This financial support shows the ongoing commitment from the Norwegian Government to strengthen the Timor-Leste justice sector, especially in regards to promoting women’s rights and women’s access to the formal justice system” said Luis de Oliveira Sampaio, the Executive Director of JSMP.

This funding will finance court monitoring, the dissemination of legal information and training to village authorities and women’s communities in remote areas, as well as high school students, regarding gender issues relating to the Law Against Domestic Violence, the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.

Previously, from early 2009 to November 2012, the Norwegian Government provided financial support totaling US $ 560,266.00 for a program promoting women’s access to the formal justice sector.

The funds from UNDEP will support JSMP's programs in the area of promoting the public's access to the formal justice system.

This program will be achieved by improving public understanding of and confidence in the formal justice system. This fund gurantees JSMP's program in the future, particularly over the next two years.

"JSMP is grateful to receive this support because it will continue to strengthen JSMP's work of overseeing the functioning of the justice system and democracy in Timor-Leste," said Luis de Oliveira Sampaio, Executive Director JSMP.

This fund will support JSMP's Legal Research Unit and Parliament Watch Program to monitor the courts and the National Parliament.

In addition, it will support legal education in rural communities in 6 Districts - Ainaro, Baucau, Ermera, Liquica, Manufahi and Oe-Cusse. JSMP believes that UNDEF's support will help JSMP to continue its work of promoting justice for all. Sources: JSMP Press Releases 15 January 2013. Edited by Warren L. Wright